Heater



FIG. 1. f 3f@ y/ J Feb. I8, i936. A. soRENsEN 2,031,55l

HEATER Filed Aug. 24, 1934 Haz@ 'C Flaca 17 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Albert Sorensen, Washington, D. C. Application August 24, 1934, Serial No. 741,303

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to heaters for liquids, sometimes classified as tubular heat lnterchangers or heaters of the water tube type.

. The principal obj ect of the invention is to provide water heaters for use in connection with the radiators of room heating systems, and for supplying hot W ater for domestic .and analogous purposes, which are light in Weight, comparatively inexpensive,

and adapted to thoroughly heat water with `minimum consumption of gas or other heating medium. By Way of example,

the heaters as units may b proximity to the radiators so e located in close that there will be no appreciable loss of heat in the basement, walls, etc., thru which pipes leading to the radiators may run.

Two or Vmore units may be used as a part of the heating system of a house,

or portion thereof. adjacent opposite These units may be located walls thereof, say adjacent the north and south walls, and that unit supplying heated water to the radiators located on the north side of the building, supplied with. more fuel than that located on the south side, so `as to adequately heat portion of the house.

the normally colder north Or, the units may be int separate apartments in a ot water for domestic and other purposes to different apartments of the same house.

Another object of the invention in a water heater is to provide of the water tube type an arrangement whereby the water tubes provide a baffling arrangement, avoiding the use of angles, sheets or strips of o complete the baiiies adjafractory material t cent the upright walls of ets or strips are likely to burnaway metal, or tiles of lrethe casing. Such metal contain no water and The tiles are comparatively heavy for support on the tubes and likely to damagefthe tubes by abrasive action as the tubes move relative to the tiles due to changes in temperature.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heater which is light in weight, which facilitates ease of handling, ready passage through small doorways, halls, etc.,

supported near or of the basement an and which may be suspended from the ceiling d closely subjacent the `radiait is kof unit form may-be connected s which will be of lth whereby two or more units o .as to provide an assembly e kdesiredcapacitanY Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and in which drawing:-

Figure l is a front elevation of a water heater constructed according tothe present invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same, a portion of the casing being broken away to disclose details.

Figure 3 is a central vertical sectional view through the heater, portions of the water tubes being broken away and shown in section to disclose a typical connection of the ends of the tubes with heaters.

Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on the line 4;-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing a modication. Y l 1 In the drawing, where like characters designate like or similar parts throughout the views, A des-v ignates a casing providing a heating chamber B and a stack or off-take flue C for the waste products of combustion; D water tube units, each preferably comprising a lower header E and an upper header F, and a group of Water tubes G connecting the headers; I-I a manifold connecting the adjacent ends of lower headers E as shown in Figures 2 and 4; J a manifold connecting the adjacent ends of upper headers'l' as shown in Figure 2'; K an inlet pipe to the manifold H; L an outlet pipe from manifold J; M detachable caps for the ends of headers E opposite to manifold H; N detachable caps for the ends of headers F opposite to manifold J; O' a suitable burner, such as one for gas or oil; and P a feed pipe leading to burner O.

The casing A is preferably shaped'to provide the heating chamber B of elongated upright shape, rectangular in horizontal cross section, so that the Water tubes G may be bent to follow a tortuous course in the heating chamber from the lower portion to the upper portion thereofytherebypermitting long tubes to be arranged in a relatively small chamber. The casing A may comprise a main body portion 6 and a cap I, the latter preferably frusto-pyramidal in shape and connected to the stack or flue C in a manner to direct the gases arising in the heating chamber to the flue, as shown in Figure 3. The main body 6 may be formed of elongated, rectangular upright front and rear walls 8 and 9, and opposite side walls I0 and II, respectively. ln the example shown the walls 9, I0, and I I may comprise an integral sheet otmetal I2, -bent along vertical lines, and lined at the interior with wall sections I3, I4, and I5 of:V 55

yieldable heat insulating material, such as asbestos; and the front wall 8 secured to the side walls I0 and I I, as by means of screws I6 extending through Vertical flanges Il, formed at right angles along the upright margins of front wall 8, the screws having threaded connection, in the usual Way, with the walls I8 and II. The front wall may comprise an outer sheet metal main body portion I8 provided with an elongated, vertical, rectangular opening 2|), having a door or removable section 2| to afford access tothe burner O and to' the tubes G. In the example shown, a small removable plate 22, held in place by clips` 23, is provided below the doo-r or removable section 2| to facilitate placing or removal of the feed pipe P. The metallic front I8, door or removable section 2 I, and removable plate 22 are provided with wall sections of yieldable heat insulating material designated generally by character 24, such as sheet asbestos.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the casing A includes opposite upright parallel Walls I3 and 24 and opposite upright parallel walls I4 and I5 of yieldable heat insulating material, which material may cooperate with the headers E and F and the water tubes G to prevent hot gases arising from the burner O finding their way to the stack or flue C, except by following a tortuous course, as hereinafter set forth.

Each the front wall 8 and the rear wall 9 is provided with openings adjacent its lower margin, and openings 2'? adjacent its upper margin through which the end portions of the headers E and F, respectively, extend, as shown more in detail in Figures 3 and 4. These headers are preferably tubular in shape, screw threaded as at 28, at opposite ends and engage the wall portions I4 and I5, so as to prevent passage of hot gases, issuing from the burner, passing vertically adjacent the walls I0 and I I, throughout their length.

Each water tube unit D comprises a lower head er E and a companion upper header F, and a group of water tubes G connecting the headers. It is preferred to make these water tube units interchangeable, that is, altho the tubes are bent to a serpentine shape, the two units may be arranged so that the groups of water tubes will have the greater portion of the length of the tubes of one group in spaced parallel relation to the similar portion of the tubes of the adjacent group,whereby gases of combustion follow a tortuous course between the groups of water tubes and sweep the tubes longitudinally over substantially their` entire length, as shown in Figure 3. VBy way of example, each tube G may be provided with an elbow 3| extending from that side of its one header that faces the other header, or, in other words, is in the plane common to the longitudinal axes of the companion headers. From the elbow 3| may extend a straight run of tubes 32; then a relatively short return bend 33 then another straight run 34; then a relatively large return bend 35;.

then another straight run 35, connected to another relatively short return bend 3'I, which has connection With the other header through a straight run 38. The latter straight run is preferably in a plane nearly at right angles to the first mentioned plane, as shown in Figures 3 and 5.

Thus when the two water tube units are assem bled, the relatively short return bend 3'! of one of the Water tube units may be near the bottom of the heating chamber B and in parallel relation to the elbows 3| of the other water tube unit, and so on,-the straight runs 32 and 36, and 34 paralleling each other, and the return bends 33 and 35 paralleling each other.

The manifolds H and J may each be of like construction, preferably made of pipe fittings, such as a T 40, nipples 4| at opposite outlets thereof, and elbows 42 each provided with a union 43, connected to the nipples 4I, and with the unions 43 having detachable connection with the screw threaded end portions' 28 of the headers.

Inlet pipe K has connection with the T of manifold H, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, and outlet pipe L has connection with the T 40 of manifold J.

The caps M have detachable connection with the screw threaded end portions 28 of headers E at the ends thereof opposite to manifold I-I, while the caps N have. detachable connection with the screw threaded end portions of headers F at the end portions opposite manifold J. It is to be noted, however, that these manifolds and caps are interchangeable, that is,v the caps may be adjacent the rear wall 9 of the housing,y and theV manifolds in front, where it would be desirable to provide elbows 42 with each a relatively long leg, so that the door or removable section 2| may be opened, or either the manifold H or J may be at the top or bottom of the front,-whichever arrangement may be found most suitable, and acj cording to the location of available pipes leading to and from radiators, water supply connections, stand pipes, etc.

The burner O is disclosed merely by way of example for it is to be understood that this burner may be suitable for use with a gaseous or liquid fuel, or a vapor fuel. In the example shown it is resting upon oppositely disposed anges 45 secured to the walls 8 and 9. The feed pipe B is provided with a valve 46 of any suitable character and the feed pipe extends through an opening 41 in the plate 22, this opening having communication with the lower margin 48 of the plate, so that the latter may be lifted from.

the clips 23, when the door or removable section 2| is in an open position.

The lower portion of casing A is preferably open to the atmosphere as at 49 so that access may be had to the burner, for lighting purposes through such open bottom.

An important feature of the present invention is that the outermost tubes 50 of each group 3D f are in side contact with the walls I3 and 24 of yieldable heat insulating material, so that they exclude passage of hot gases arising from the burner finding exit from the casing by passing vertically along the walls 8 and 9. tubes and headers, because each group of serpentine tubes are arranged in side by side contact with each other through at least the greater portion of their length, and the walls of yieldable heat insulating material, confine the gases of combustion to a tortuous course, as shown by the arrows in Figure 3, sweeping the tubes longitudinally, over substantially their entire length, and requiringV no angles, sheets or strips of metal, or tiles as baiiles.

Replacement of either or both of the water tube units D may be readily accomplished by manipulation of the unions 43, the removal of one` or more of the caps M and N, and disconnection of the front wall 8 from the remaining portion the lower headers E'may be connected Yby a pipelength and Yelbows 56, provided with unions 51 The water e@ for connection with the adjacent .ends "of the headers E, and an inletpipe 58,.and.outletpipe FaS-,may have connection with theadia'cent ends. ofthe upper headers F, .as shownin Figure 5, whereupon the iiow of liquid -willbe downwardlyv through one of the water .tube'units and then, upwardly through the other water unit D.v

I claim: j'

l'. In a water heater, ther-combination, of a casing including opposite upright parallelwalls of Vyieldable heat insulating material, and at least two groups of water tubes, each group comprising a plurality of serpentine tubes arranged in side ,by side' contact with each other throughout at least the greater portion of their length, the outermost of the tubes of each group in side conact with said walls of yieldable heat insulating material, and the groups of water tubes arranged with the greater portion of the length of the tubes of one group in spaced parallel relation to the similar portion of the tubes of the adjacent group whereby gases of combustion follow a tortuous course between the groups of water tubes and sweep the tubes longitudinally over their entire length.

2. In a water heater, the combination of a casing including opposite upright parallel walls, and at least two groups of water tubes, each group comprising a plurality of serpentine tubes arranged in side by side contact with each other throughout at least the greater portion of their length, and the groups of water tubes arranged with the greater portion of the length of the tubes of one group in spaced parallel relation to the similar portion of the tubes of the adjacent group whereby gases of combustion follow a tortuous course between the groups oi water tubes and sweep the tubes longitudinally over their entire length.

3. In a water tube heater, the combination of a casing, providing a heating chamber, including opposite upright parallel walls, two pairs of headers, each pair including a lower header and a companion upper header, said headers extending through said heating chamber and through and extending beyond the outer faces of said opposite walls of the casing, and the lower and upper headers of each pair of headers in laterally spaced parallel relation, and a group of water tubes for each companion lower header and upper header, each group comprising a plurality of serpentine tubes arranged in parallel, side by side, contacting relation throughout at least the greater portion of their length and connected to their respective headers with the ways of the tubes communicating with the ways of the headers, and the groups of water tubes arranged with the greater portion of the length of the tubes of one group in spaced parallel relation to the similar portion of the tubes of the adjacent group whereby gases of combustion follow a tortuous course between the groups of water tubes and sweep the tubes longitudinally over their entire length.

4. In a water tube heater, the combination of a casing, providing a heating chamber, including opposite upright parallel walls, two pairs of headers, each pair including a lower header and a companion upper header, said headers extending through said heating chamber and through and extending beyond the outer faces of said opposite walls of the casing, and the lower and upper headers of each pair of headers in laterally spaced parallel relation, a group of water tubes for each companion lower header and upper header, each group comprising a plurality of serpentine tubes arrangedinparallel,;side by side, contacting relation throughout at least the greater portion oi.' their" length and connected to their respective headers. with the ways of the tubes communi-y of water tubes and sweep the tubes longitudinallyv over their entire length, a manifold detachably: connected to the :portions o said 'lower headers. extendinggbeyond one of said casing walls, caps detachably connected to the portions of the lower headers extending beyond the other of said casing walls, a manifold detachably`-connected to the portions of said upper headers extending beyond one of said casing walls, and caps detachably connected to the portions of said upper headers extending beyond the other of said casing walls, said manifold and caps of each the upper and lower headers, being interchangeable whereby the water may be introduced into the lower header and taken from the upper header, from either of the opposite sides of the casing.

5. In a water heater, the combination of a casing including opposite upright parallel walls of yieldable heat insulating material, and a group oi' water tubes in said casing and in parallel, side by side, contacting relation with each other throughout their entire length and with the outermost tubes of the group in side contact with said side walls of yieldable heat insulating material, to provide a baffle of said tubes throughout their entire length.

6. In a water heater, the combination of a casing providing an elongated upright heating chamber, rectangular in horizontal cross section and including opposite upright parallel walls of yieldable heat insulating material, two pairs of headers, each pair including a a companion upper header, said headers of one pair horizontally disposed in the heating charnber and contacting with one of said walls of yieldable heat insulating material adjacent the lower and upper portions thereof, and the companion headers of the other pair similarly disposed in the chamber and contacting with the opposite wall of yieldable heat insulating material, and a group of water tubes for each companion lower header and upper header, each group comprising a plurality of serpentine tubes arranged in parallel, side by side, contacting relation throughout at least the greater portion of their length and connected to the lower and upper headers, and with the outermost tubes of each group in side contact with the other opposite walls of yieldable heat insulating material, and the groups of water tubes arranged with the greater portion of the lower header and length of the tubes of one group in spaced parallel relation to the similar portion of the tubes of the adjacent group whereby gases of combustion follow a tortuous course between the groups of water tubes and sweep the tubes longitudinally over substantially their entire length.

'7. As an article of manufacture, a unit for water heaters comprising a pair of tubular headers arranged in parallel relation, and a plurality of serpentine tubes connecting said headers laterally and with their ways in communication with the ways of said headers, said tubes in side by side, contacting relation throughout their entire length between the headers.

8. In a water heater, the combination of a casiOV ing providing an elongated upright heating chamber, rectangular in horizontal cross section and including opposite upright parallel walls of yieldable heat insulating material, two pairs of headers, each pair including a lower header and a companion upper header, said headers of one pair horizontally disposed in the heating chamber and contacting with one of said walls of yieldable heat insulating material adjacent the lower and upper portions thereof, and the companion headers of the other pair similarly disposed in the chamber and contacting with the opposite wall of yeldable heat insulating material, and a group of water tubes for each companion lower and upper header, each group comprising a plurality of serpentine tubes arranged in parallel, side by side, contasting relation throughout at least the greater portion of their length and connected to the lower and upper headers, and the groups of water tubes arranged with the greater portion of the length of the tubes of one group in spaced parallel relation to the similar portion of the tubes of the adjacent group whereby gases of combustion follow a tortuous course between the groups of water tubes and sweep the tubes longitudinally over substantially their entire length.

ALBERT SORENSEN. 

